Six Eastern Michigan University faculty will be honored
at the 17th Annual Teaching Excellence Awards Saturday,
Sept. 22, at the EMU Student Center. The event, hosted
by the EMU Alumni Association and the Office for Alumni
Relations, honors faculty who have distinguished themselves
in the classroom. Current students and alumni nominate
faculty members.
"The Teaching Excellence Awards are a wonderful way for
the Alumni Association to salute some of EMU's outstanding
professors. One of EMU's strengths has always been its
faculty, and these awards highlight their dedication to
providing a quality education for our students," said Vicki
Reaume, executive director of alumni relations at EMU.
Friends and guests are welcome to attend. Advanced tickets
are required. Tickets for this year's event can be purchased
through the Office for Alumni Relations at 487-0250 or alumni.relations@emich.edu.
Tickets are $18 per person, or a table of eight can be
reserved for $120.
The recipients are:
 |
Adams |
Anthony (Troy) Adams, of Pittsfield Township, professor
of sociology. Adams began teaching at EMU in 1988. He will
be honored for his dedication to students and his thorough
knowledge of the field of sociology. Adams' passion for
sociology is contagious and motivating, according to a
former student. Adams
also is highly dedicated to volunteerism and community
service, and works to motivate EMU students to become involved
in the community as well.
Adams received his bachelor's degree in criminology from
EMU, and a master's degree and doctorate in sociology,
both from the University of Michigan in 1990.
 |
Alexander |
Jessica (Decky) Alexander, of Ypsilanti, associate professor,
theatre and educational drama. Alexander began teaching
at EMU in 1996. She will be honored for her passion for
theater as a vehicle to educate. Alexander not only inspires
students in the classroom, but also serves as a faculty
adviser for the EMU Poetry Society; leads the Martin Luther
King Day celebration at EMU; and has developed a collaborative
performance group called CloseUp, which addresses current
events and issues facing young adults. Alexander has received
numerous awards, including the Washtenaw Council for the
Arts Annie Award, the Michigan Campus Compact Venture Grants,
and the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation Youth Grant.
Alexander received her bachelor's degree in theatre from
Lawrence University of Wisconsin, and her master's degree
in drama and theatre education from EMU in 1996.
 |
Neff |
Heather Neff, of Ypsilanti, professor,
English language and literature. Neff began teaching at
EMU in 1993. She will be honored for her superb interaction
with students, both in the classroom and through many campus
organizations. Neff provides students with a great deal
of knowledge of the English language while challenging
them to apply literary references to current events. Neff
has published several novels, including "Blackgammon," "Wisdom," "Accident
of Birth," and "Harleem," which
have been discussed on NPR, and at lectures throughout
the United States.
Neff has received several awards, including the Michigan
Distinguished Professor Award, the Fulbright Research Award
and several national grants. She completed her undergraduate
studies at the University of Michigan, and completed her
master's and doctoral degrees at the University of Zurich
in Switzerland in 1990.
 |
Williamson |
Ronald Williamson, of Saline, professor,
leadership and counseling. Williamson began teaching at
EMU in 2001. He will be honored for his ability to mold
students into teachers, and train and develop professional
school administrators. Williamson's students credit him
with the ability to implement his own set of "Three R's":
rigor, relevance, and relationships. The National Middle
School Association has recognized Williamson's proficiency
in the field of academic leadership, and he has authored
many publications based on his research in the field.
Williamson received his bachelor's degree from the University
of Michigan, and received master's degrees in both educational
leadership and social studies education from EMU. He
also received his doctoral degree from EMU, with a dissertation
on the impact of principal leadership on interdisciplinary
teams in middle schools.
 |
Howells |
Valerie Howells, of Ypsilanti, associate
professor, occupational therapy. Howells began teaching
at EMU in 1998. She will be honored for her inspiration
to students and her dedication to research in the field
of occupational therapy. Her methods of teaching have influenced
many students throughout her career, many of who now practice
and implement the scientific approach, which Howell champions,
to occupational therapy.
Howells received her bachelor's degree in occupational
therapy from EMU before receiving her master's degree and
doctorate in clinical psychology from Cambridge's Graduate
School of Psychology in Los Angeles, Calif., in 1991.
 |
Mannari |
Vijay Mannari, of Ypsilanti, associate
professor, engineering technology. Mannari has been teaching
at EMU since 2002. He will be honored for his distinction
in the field, and the application of this knowledge in
the classroom. He has been instrumental in connecting EMU
students with national and state professional organizations,
and facilitated many scholarship opportunities for his
students. Mannari is highly involved with many organizations
on campus, and has been responsible for many improvements
to polymers and coatings classes, and curriculum.
Mannari has received numerous awards, including the Chartered
Scientist Award, and is an honorary member of the Oil and
Color Chemists Society. He received his bachelor's degree,
master's degree and doctorate, all from Sardar Patel University
in India.
